The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

September 10, 2008

Dealer facing 10 years in prison

By Joe Pinchot

FARRELL — A Farrell man who admitted selling crack cocaine to an informant working with police has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Robert D. “R.R.” Russell, 24, formerly of Fruit Avenue, asked U.S. District Court Judge Maurice B. Cohill Jr., Pittsburgh, to sentence him below the 10-year mandatory minimum, arguing the amount of crack — two ounces — “triggers what could be considered a disproportionate base offense level.”

Russell’s attorney, Richard C. Schomaker, Wexford, also said Russell’s criminal history score overstates the seriousness of his criminal history, and that Russell suffered from lack of guidance as a youth, family dysfunction and drug dependency.

Russell was working to earn his general equivalency diploma while in the Allegheny County Jail and “should be rewarded for his positive steps,” Schomaker said.

Schomaker recommended that Russell’s need for rehabilitation “can be accomplished without a substantial custodial sentence.”

Cohill did not go along with the request Tuesday, but thought highly enough of Russell to recommend that he be imprisoned as close to Farrell as possible, and be enrolled in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons’ 500-hour drug and alcohol treatment program.

“I believe this man is truly remorseful and intends to do better,” Cohill said in his sentencing order. “He has family obligations and, I believe, will do all he can to fulfill these obligations.”

The Bureau of Prisons does not have to abide by the judge’s recommendations.

Cohill also sentenced Russell to serve 5 years’ supervised release after prison.

Russell pleaded guilty in June to a charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of crack cocaine.

Prosecutors said an informant was looking for someone else when he met up with Russell on Oct. 1. Russell offered to sell crack to the informant, and met the informant at about 2 p.m. in front of an unnamed bar in Farrell, where Russell sold an ounce for $1,000 in the informant’s car.

The informant said he wanted another ounce, and Russell left, returning a short time later with the additional crack, also sold for $1,000, prosecutors said.

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